Known for its very fine French-accented dining, Meritage also has a superlative (and nearly secret) happy hour. I say nearly secret because they don’t publicize it or breathe a word of it into the online space, but for regulars (and readers of this column!) the secret is out. Tuesday - Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., $5 wine and fancy cocktails, such as a gorgeous lemony gin gimlet topped with a fragrant absinthe float; decadent French treats such as a long crisp and creamy marrow bone served with a pile of expertly charred toast; Oh yes, $5 here also buys you a serving of some of the best french fries in town, served in a gorgeous silver cup with bearnaise. Got $15 and a super best friend to chow down with? More glamour and taste per dollar than any other happy hour in a very happy-hour town—ooh la la! 410 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-222-5670, meritage-stpaul.com

All the fancy bartenders around town are all about Fernet Branca, the Italian amaro (bitter) liqueur that’s black as a witch and twice as bitter. But where can you get it for $3? Nowhere! Except at Pazzaluna, where, during their happy hour (which goes from 4-6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-close daily), they set out a very fancy authentic Italian spread at rock bottom prices, including: an entire four cheese pizza (shareable for two folks) for $10 during the 4-6 p.m. happy hour, and $5 from 9 p.m.-close, $5 select antipasti, and a whole lot of other $3 cocktails. One caveat: This place is not a secret. If you and everyone in your office want to partake of the great flavors and prices, my advice is to send a couple interns early to snag a table, otherwise you will stand. If you are standing, be sure to pose in front of one of Pazzaluna’s elaborate murals, which are sort of like food-driven Grant Hart Benton tributes. And get someone to snap your picture with your Fernet Branca—it will grant you bartender drink-cred for years to come. 360 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-223-7000, pazzaluna.com

Beer here! You can’t talk St. Paul without referencing the city’s very important brewing history. Needless to say, it’s actually St. Paul that birthed the very idea of Minnesota as the "Land of sky blue waters," through the old Hamm's Brewery. Great Waters doesn’t get as much press as the bright and shiny newest brewery-of-week, they do have great and noteworthy beer—all of which is available for $2 off. I especially go nuts for their authentically cask-conditioned ales made in British styles and served appropriately warm. The Black Watch Oat stout is possibly the best stout in town: creamy, velvety, fragrant with roasted oat, coffee, and toffee fragrances, and a dry finish. If you’re a beer snob, a beer buff, a beer historian, or a beer head of any sort and you’re on a budget, I don’t know why you’d go anywhere else. Happy hour is Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-close. Hamm Bldg., 426 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-224-2739, greatwatersbc.com

Dark Horse

You can’t get much in chic Lowertown for $3—but that’s all you’ll need for a glass of wine at St. Paul budget-friendly playground Dark Horse during their daily 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour. Unbelievably, a can of Hamm’s is even less, a mere $2.75! Happy hour foods are available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the $8 pizza is near enough for dinner—though most people end up ordering the non-happy hour burger, once you’ve saved so much money on drinks—who can resist their famous pretzel bun? Some other fun facts: Dark Horse has a very good relationship with Summit, one of North America’s most esteemed micro-breweries and a St. Paul original, and you’re likely to find some of the best and rarest Summits here, and Dark Horse also has a 10-foot projection TV, making it one of the better spots to watch a really big game, if you happen not to have really big tickets. 250 E. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-313-7960, darkhorsebarandeatery.com

(This article was last updated on January 24, 2018)

Tags

Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl was born in New York City little aware of her destiny—to eat out a lot in Minnesota. Dara is the other half of our star food and dining team, working side by side with Stephanie March.